Drone drops flyers with swastikas near Ariana Grande concert venue

Flyers reading ‘the press is the enemy’ scattered over California city

The flyers were dropped near a Sacremento State University event. (Screenshot/YouTube/Sac State Orientation)

A drone has been used to drop leaflets featuring swastikas across Sacramento, California, including near a venue hosting an Ariana Grande concert.

The flyers were dropped near the Golden 1 Center where hundreds of the singer’s fans were queueing for entry on Friday.

The star performed at the venue later that day.

Flyers were also dropped over California State University’s annual “Bites on the Bridge” dinner, which is held to raise funds for charitable causes.

“Sacramento State condemns in the strongest terms the dissemination of hate speech and propaganda Friday evening at our annual fundraising dinner on the Guy West Bridge,” Robert S Nelson, the university’s president, said in a statement published on Facebook.

“The anonymous act of spreading such vile material is offensive and runs counter to the principles of inclusion and diversity practiced at Sac State.

“It did not stop the event, nor will it slow our march toward greater understanding and commitment to the rights and safety of our campus community.”

The flyers had varying designs and featured anti-media rhetoric such as “stop the TV whore takeover” and “the press is the enemy”, according to university newspaper The State Hornet.

One had the words ”Tracy Mapes © 2018” written in a corner. A Twitter account under the same name appears to have tweeted drone images of the California State Capitol on Thursday.

The same user also appears to have tweeted images similar to those used on the leaflets.

Friday’s incident has been reported to the Sacramento State Police Department and The Independent has contacted the force for comment.

University officials said the “Bites on the Bridge” dinner proceeded as normal on Friday, despite the flyers.

Additional reporting by agencies